Zig Alvus by Jules S. Jaffe is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum in Designatio Supellectilis Competition Category.
FerrumSupellex· 2020
Zig Alvus
Client: Jules S. Jaffe
Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum Winner in Supellex Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #89459The Design
About Zig Alvus
Consilium incitatur cupiditate demonstrandi singulares proprietates lignorum in contextu technicorum, quae tam pulchritudinem quam functionem requirunt. Ad Jules S. Jaffé, hoc est provocatio supellectilis design. Impugnatio hic erat ad stabilitatem et fortitudinem accommodaturus affectum levitatis et contentionis in finali consilio. Et inde alvus habet egregias vires, sed etiam levitatis et tranquillitatis affectum, ut in geometria, notabat Pythagoricos, a quibus excogitator.
The Recognition
About the Praemium A' Design Award Ferreum
Zig Alvus victor est Praemii A' Design Award Ferreum, honoris amplissimi formis bonis dati, quae postulatis professionalibus et industrialibus ab creationibus bene formatis exspectatis satisfaciunt. Victores Ferrei magnam peritiam, altam specializationem, intellectum periti et facultatem creandi auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Zig Alvus creationem multum aestimatam, admiratam et carissimam, practicam et novam fore. Haec forma Ferreo victa optimas industriae consuetudines integrat et proprietates technicas idoneas, cum scientia et talento coniunctas, habet. Zig Alvus ob diligentiam suam honoratur et ad vitae qualitatem emendandam formatum est, ut mundum meliorem reddere iuvet.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The stool employs a unique triple mitered joint that did not exist before. The challenge here was to provide enough stability and strength to accommodate a feeling of lightness and tension in the final design.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 505 x 185 x 180
- Tags
- stool, chair, sitting device
- Production Technology
- The design was realized in maple because it has the requisite capability to be accurately cut without worrying about splintering. This is actually version 4.2 that took place over 2 years with a variety of materials (oak) and a variety of machining techniques. Ultimately, a set of table saw fixtures that were precisely measured and inclined were used to have the surface meet with extremely high accuracy. The challenge with any cantilever is strength and stability. Hence the large mating surfaces. There are no screws or any other metal parts used in construction. Only wood. Purity of materials was a prime consideration.
- Design Challenge
- The continuous challenge of creating functional items that are also aesthetically pleasing is a constant challenge. Research in form, function and the engineering needed to accomplish the mutual goals of fulfilling those aspirations is a constant pursuit. Ancient concepts related to the golden triangle and its harmony with human perception is related to the construction of this stool as it incorporates a triangular structure that also needs to be extremely stable. The final realization was an exercise in precise and multi-dimensional angles.
- Research
- As with all projects the tension between good design and stability and strength in construction is paramount. In this case, many of the preliminary designs, when constructed cracked under the weight of the sitter. In addition, since the surface between the base and the supporting rod and the supporting rod and the seat are not orthogonal, it took a great deal of geometric reasoning to make those top and bottom surfaces parallel, as in any design close to this.
- Inspiration
- Overall the stool is an homage to Gerrit Rietveld. However it incorporates a Zen-like feeling of peacefulness and rest but with the tension of a cantilever. Hence, it uses contrasting elements to achieve its unique design. The stool inspires sitting upright in a meditative position and is also excellent for artists such as guitarists and cellists to use as it has no protruding parts and the base retracts from the seat edge. It is very stable but allows freedom of movement.
- Project Duration
- The project took 2 years to execute in a workshop in La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Operation Flow
- Simply sit on it.
- Patents
- None
- Team Members
- Jules S. Jaffe (only)
- Image Credits
- Image # 1: Jules S. Jaffe, 2019.
Optional image #2 Jules S. Jaffe, 2019.
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